Criminal Lawyer Blog

Police body cams an effective evidence gathering tool

Toronto criminal lawyer Matthew Friedberg says it makes sense for police to wear body cameras because it will allow for more transparency and accountability in officers’ conduct and will also provide reliable evidence in court.

“I think it’s a good thing – it’s a very good evidence-gathering tool to be able to videotape what the officer is seeing and what he or she is experiencing, a really good way to capture what’s going on,” he tells AdvocateDaily.com.

Friedberg says the cameras will curtail peoples’ ability to challenge the police version of events, likely resulting in fewer trials and actions against police.

“It will really promote the truth-seeking function of the courts,” he says.

Friedberg weighs in on the matter as Toronto Police launch a pilot project this fall that will see about 100 officers wear small cameras as the force moves to study the device’s effectiveness in reducing the use of force, says the CBC.

The decision comes after 18-year-old Sammy Yatim was shot and Tasered by Toronto police on a streetcar last year. Const. James Forcillo is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the shooting, says the public broadcaster.